AUSTIN — Tourists entering the Texas Capitol on Friday — the first day of new security measures — thought metal detectors were a good idea until they learned that visitors with concealed handgun permits are not required to surrender their firearms at the door.

"It’s OK. Keep the senators and the people working here safe," said Angel Descomps, 23, of Monterrey, Mexico, moments after he passed through a metal detector.

But when he found out that people with licenses still can carry guns in the building, he said, "What’s the point? So, why are you putting up metal detectors?"

In fact, in the hour before noon, perhaps only one in 20 people entering the building through the south entrance had to go through the metal detectors.

A special line was set up for school groups, people with concealed handgun permits and people with state-issued building passes. A computer is set up for troopers to check the status of handgun permits.

Few people were using the north, east or west entrances, so the half-dozen state troopers assigned to each of those locations were mostly standing around waiting.

State leaders decided to install the metal detectors at the Capitol at a cost of $3 million a year after a man fired a gun on the front steps in January. He had been in the building minutes before and had acted strangely while in the office of state Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston. Another man was arrested this month after dropping an 8-inch knife on the floor during a committee meeting.

"Anyone legally carrying a (concealed handgun license) has undergone a level of scrutiny and security background checks that the average citizen hasn’t," Parsons said.

Perry spokeswoman Katherine Cesinger said Perry supports the rights of people with concealed handgun permits to carry their weapons, but she reiterated the governor’s opposition to placing metal detectors at the Capitol.

"The Texas Capitol belongs to the people of this state," Cesinger said. "The governor is in favor of increasing public safety but believes less-intrusive steps could have been taken to boost security without risking long lines at detectors or diminishing the sense of welcome that was at the core of a visit to our state’s Capitol."

‘Where does it stop?’

State law allows people with concealed handgun permits to carry their weapons in the Capitol. To obtain a permit, a person must undergo a criminal background check and pass a concealed handgun training program.

"Where does it stop? Do we end up like Israel with metal detectors in restaurants, shopping centers?" Rosow said. "I heard that a guy here took a plane and flew it into the IRS building. So, what, are we going to start protecting the airspace next?"

David Oliphant, 70, of Cedar Park was taking his friend, David Boynham, 66, of Lexington, Ky., on a tour of the Capitol. They said they think metal detectors are acceptable for a government building, but making an exception for people with concealed handgun permits isn’t.

"Why would they allow such a thing?" Oliphant said.

"Especially as contentious as politics have gotten," said Boynham.

Ileana Ramirez, 24, of Mission, went through the metal detector and then waited while a trooper ran a metal detecting wand over her. Ramirez also thought allowing guns into the building made the metal detectors less than meaningful.

"You don’t know who they are," Ramirez said, referring to people with the state-
issued permits. "What if they go crazy?"